Page:Iracéma, the honey-lips (1886).djvu/102
"Summon the Hunters of the Soipé and the Fishers the Trahiry. We will hasten to encounter them."
Poty awoke the voice of the Inubia, and the two warriors set out for Mocoribe.
Soon they saw hastening from all parts the braves of Jaguarassú and Camoropim to respond to the War-cry. The brother of Jacaúna warned them of the enemy՚s approach.
The great Maracatim[1] flew upon the waters along the coast, which extends as far as the margins of the Parnahyba.[2]
The moon began to increase; when the ship left the waters of the Mearim, contrary winds drove it into the high seas, far beyond its destination.
The Pytiguára warriors, in order not to startle the enemy, hide themselves amongst the Cajueiros, and follow the great Igára along the shore. During the day the white sails are conspicuous, and by night the ship՚s lights pierced the sea՚s darkness like fireflies lost in the forest.
Many suns they marched thus. They pass beyond the Camoçim, and at last they tread the beautiful shores of the Bay of Parrots.[3]
Poty sends a warrior to the great Jacaúna and prepares for the combat. Martim, who had mounted the hill of sand, knew that the Maracatim would seek shelter under the lee of the land, and warns his brother.
The sun was already rising. The Guaraciaba[4]
warriors and their friends the Tupinambás run along
- ↑ Maracatim is a large ship which rises at the prow. Little boats or canoes were called Igára, meaning "lady of the water."
- ↑ Parnahyba, a large river of Piauhy, on the north coast of Brazil.
- ↑ Bahia dos papagaios. It is the Bay of Jericoacoara, and means "Bay of the plain of the parrots," and is one of the best parts of Ceará.
- ↑ Guaraciaba means "yellow-haired." These were the French settlers at Maranhão.